Achieving A Healthy Pregnancy

Tips and Tricks For Ultimate Pregnancy Health

Every mother hopes for a healthy pregnancy, but getting that positive pregnancy test is only the first step to a nine-month process. A healthy lifestyle tops the priority list, but an altered schedule of nutrition and exercise can start even before conception. As your body goes through myriad changes in preparation for baby, it’s important to stay one step ahead of all your developments. Read on to find what you can do to encourage a healthy pregnancy.

The Importance of Pre-Pregnancy HealthIf you want to jumpstart a healthier eating style before putting that bun in the oven you are in good company. Many women are beginning to grasp the importance of prenatal vitamins and other early preparations. These pre-pregnancy pills supply the necessary iron and folic acid a woman needs daily: they are also the two ingredients that can help prepare the female body for a baby. As far as fertility foods, oysters are an often-talked-about option due to their high amount of zinc, but eating healthy overall and exercising are more reliable fertility boosters.

In the meantime, learn how to preserve your current fertility. According to iVillage.com, even a small amount of alcohol can decrease your probability of fertility up to 50 percent, so don’t give in to the temptation to share a margarita with a girlfriend if you are trying to conceive. Caffeine can also hinder baby making, so make it a decaf if you need your coffee fix. Encourage your partner to stay healthy and eat wisely right along with you. After all, conception takes two!

Staying Fit for a Healthy PregnancyPregnancy and health go hand in hand, so be sure to exercise and stay fit both while you are trying to conceive and after success has been met. Popular healthy pregnancy activities include yoga, water aerobics, stretching, and walking. Most women who had a regular exercise routine before pregnancy are able to keep it up, assuming they maintain their normal health during pregnancy. A lot of upcoming mothers get out and form lifelong friendships by joining a mom’s group focusing on pregnancy and health. Accountability is the best way to stay focused, so if you are able to plug into one of these groups, you may find it greatly contributes to a healthy pregnancy.

The Internet is a great resource if you are looking for a fitness-and-eating plan to stick with while pregnant. Wheat germ is a recommended food, but there are plenty of others available to you if you aren’t too thrilled about eating anything with word “germ” involved. Plenty of new-mom message boards can recommend these foods, lend you advice for a healthy pregnancy diet, and can also recommend some great exercises. A lot of women are eager to help out others with tricks of the trade they themselves picked up along the way.

More Than a Healthy Diet for PregnancyBeyond just the basics of pregnancy and health, many women reap rewards from wellbeing exercises such as the above mentioned yoga, as well as prayer and meditation.

Pregnancy can be a stressful time for your body, and the more you can learn to remain calm, the better your chances for a healthy nine months.

Take part in Bible-study courses at your local church, or purchase a devotional or meditation guide from your local bookstore. Invest in a relaxation CD, take warm baths, or do whatever else works for you when it comes to chilling out and staying grounded in a life that is full of preparation and change.

More Health Maintenance during PregnancyWhen you are a carrying a life inside of you, your doctor will become one of your closest confidants. Holding the answers to all your questions, monitoring your baby’s health, and offering advice customized personally to you, your obstetrician is someone you should get to know well during these nine months. Attending all of your regularly scheduled medical appointments can increase your chances of having a healthy full-term baby and a safe delivery. Pregnancy and health go hand in hand when you listen to the advice of medical professionals who know what is best for you and your particular body type.

Regular ultrasounds will help keep tabs on a healthy pregnancy, and if something goes wrong, they can sometimes assist in resolving issues more quickly. There are a few warning signs that signify poor health during pregnancy, and these should never be ignored.

Do not hesitate to call your doctor whenever you have a concern. Pregnancy is never a time to feel embarrassed, so ask away!

Chances are, your doctor has heard it all before, and she will respect you for taking precautions and being concerned for the well being of your little one.

Taking an early pregnancy class can also help you stay on a healthy track while reducing your fears and worries. Books and websites are great resources; however, hearing about pregnancy from the mouths of professionals can further set your mind at ease. Ask your doctor for a recommendation, and join other moms curious about conception.

Follow Your IntuitionNow is the time to be obedient to whatever it is your body is telling you. In the first and third trimesters you may find yourself battling fatigue. Don’t be ashamed to put your feet up once in awhile, or even indulge in a daily afternoon nap if your schedule allows. Pregnancy doesn’t mean you can be lazy, but it does mean you should significantly slow your life down. Don’t deny yourself the rest you require, which may mean going to bed earlier or hitting that snooze button a few extra times. Hire a sitter or strike a deal with your husband if you have other children to care for, and get all the shuteye you need!

Since you could experience a wide variety of aches, pains and discomforts, listen to that conscious before popping an aspirin. Many over-the-counter medications can be harmful to your baby, so check with your doctor before taking any pills or other oral pain relievers.

Even if you feel like your common sense is turning into paranoia, it’s always better to check things out and avoid assumptions. Your baby is no mystery to your body, so follow those gut instincts and do what your heart is telling you.

Lastly, remember your safety is now more important than ever. Even if you feel your belly has outgrown it, persist in wearing a seat belt and following other standard safety precautions while you are pregnant. A healthy pregnancy can easily be hindered by simply forgetting the little things you otherwise would never think twice about doing. Seat-belt extensions can be purchased at a reasonable price, and if you are traveling by air during your second trimester, many airlines will work with you to arrange a seat upgrade.

Education is your most powerful weapon against anything that may go wrong during these nine precious months. Get as much information as you can, and start looking forward to meeting your wonderfully healthy little one.

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